Keep a small notebook at your desk to write down notes, ideas, etc.

I hate the pieces of tape on the side of scrapbook paper books because they leave sticky sides that stick to other papers-I just use scotch tape over the sticky parts and now they won’t stick to loose pages.

I like to use black magic markers instead of ink to ink the edges of my embellishments.

Also carry a small notebook with you to write down ideas, color combinations you see and like, etc,

Make a folder on your computer to store pictures of projects you want to make later so you don’t forget. See a project in a magazine? Scan and put into the folder so you can find it later. See something on the web for ideas: right click and click “save image as” to your computer.

If you shop online, don’t always buy from the shopping list on the search engines-they are not always the lowest price on the web even though it may say it.

Think out of the box and use items in your house such as scraps of old denim jeans, buttons, etc.

I just received a catalog from Oriental Trading Company-wow they have cheaper prices on buttons, gems, etc. I am definitely buying from them for a lot of my craft items.

Update: I will be posting later about the Fiskars paper trimmer I bought. Not so happy with it now that I have used it awhile. I am waiting to see what they will do as far as replacing-etc. then I will post about it.

Do You have any tips you’d like to add?

When you need to use a small amount of glue on a small embellishment or item, pour some glue on a piece of scrap paper and use a toothpick or Q-tip to put a little bit of glue on the object. This will save you from squeezing the bottle too much and getting glue all over your project. (Or yourself!)

Need to trim a very small piece of paper on your paper trimmer and the scrap you are using is too small to hang onto while using the trimmer? Tape the small piece of paper to the trimmer so it will not move as you cut it.

When crafting always save the scraps. If you are scrapbooking, the small pieces can be used with small punches to make small flowers. If you also sew, you can save the fabric scraps to use in your scrapbook page. You can also use the scraps to use as test pieces to see what a certain element would look in your layout without actually using your good paper. SAVE everything!

You’ve used a paper punch to punch out a flower to use in your project, but decided the color was all wrong, or it didn’t look as good as you thought it would, save it and you can use it in another project, or use it as a test item as in the tip above. I keep mine in a container called “doodads”

Most scrapbooking card stock and paper pads comes with a small strip to tear the paper/cardstock from the pad. When you have used the whole pack, save that small set of strips from the pad. These small strips can be used as borders, etc., and work real well with the small punches.

When you get to the store and want to buy a new paper punch, ribbon, sewing thread, etc., but can’t remember what you have at home and you don’t want to buy something you already have? Here is what you do: For paper punches, punch out the punch design on regular paper, and tape to an index card. For sewing thread or ribbon, I either take my digital camera and photograph the items I have or I write the colors I have on another index card. I keep these in my wallet and if something is a great bargain, I know what I could use, and I don’t waste my time buying something I already have and save time returning items.

The rolling storage carts are great for crafts. They hold a great amount of craft supplies, and you can keep them out of the way, then roll them closer when you need them.

If you are a scrapbooker, craft stores have great paper storage boxes for the pads of paper or cardstock. I hate to complain about a company, however, Hobby Lobby’s boxes are a tiny bit too small and bends the pads, and the corners of the lids split open and I had to tape them. I am not sure what brand they are, but the ones I love are from a company called Reflections and I buy them from Michael’s. I ended up using the ones I did not like to store other things, such as punches, scraps, etc.

Craft supplies are usually WAY more expensive than regular items. Try thinking if the item you need may be in another department. Examples: I bought that pink X-acto craft knife for $8.00 or $9.00 in the craft department at Walmart (Do not buy this product, the blade fell out for me and would not stay in and was very dangerous!). When I took it back, I found a regular X-acto knife for around $2.50 in another department. The sewing departments have sewing cutting mats way cheaper than buying a scrapbooking mat, they have buckles, pins with yellow heads that look like flowers and eyelets that are way cheaper than the scrapbook/craft departments.

As mentioned in the previous tip, my pink X-acto knife had a cover for the blade. My new knife did not and I didn’t want to slice a finger off reaching for the knife when I wasn’t paying enough attention to what I was doing. I went to the basement and found some foam packaging wedges? You know, those formed foam wedges that keep large electronics, etc., tight in the box? Sorry, if I haven’t described this well, but I broke off a small piece of foam and used it as a cover for the blade. I just read in a magazine or craft book where a wine cork would work also.

Happy Crafting!

Do you have any tips to add?

Another great product I use and love. The Fiskars 12×12 LED paper trimmer is fail proof!

The 12″x12″ will handle any size job. It folds in half for great storage or to carry with you. The LED light is fantastic! The LED light shows exactly where you are cutting and automatically shuts off after two minutes. The ruler guides are inside the plastic so they will never wear off.

I am not affiliated with Fiskars or any company and I am not making any money suggesting this product. I just use it and love it.

My little corner of the world has arrived. Items for sale coming soon: single greeting cards, greeting card boxed sets, business cards, and anything you would need designed. If you need a quote, just email me at digitaldesignz@frontier.com.

You will find Photoshop tips, book reviews, my favorite products, websites, and a whole lot more!